Grossmont College recognized as Champion of Higher Education

Grossmont College was recognized as a Champion of Higher Education by the Campaign for College Opportunity for its work to significantly increase the number of students earning an Associate Degree for Transfer, an associate degree that guarantees transfer to a California State University institution.

“This achievement speaks to the heart of what we do – helping students achieve their educational goals, especially for those who wish to transfer to impacted California State University campuses,” said Grossmont College President Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh. The award for the college’s efforts during the 2017-18 academic year was given at a Dec. 4 formal reception in Los Angeles. Grossmont College also ranked:

Third place among California community colleges for the high proportion of Associate Degrees for Transfer granted relative to campus enrollment;

Sixth place overall in the number of total Associate Degrees for Transfer granted; and

Eight place for high growth of Associate Degrees for Transfer granted as compared to the 2016 – 17 academic year.

“This is great cause for celebration for Grossmont College,” said Cindy L. Miles, chancellor of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District. “A large thank you is due to our faculty, staff and students who worked so diligently to achieve these results.”

Reception attendees on behalf of the college included Miles, Abu-Ghazaleh, Grossmont College Counselor and Articulation Officer MariaDenise “Dee” Aceves, and Grossmont College Evaluations Advisor Beverly Wight. The Grossmont College attendees represented the successful student transfer experience, as it begins with counseling and articulation, and ends with evaluation.

Grossmont College was one of 12 community colleges out of 16 honorees to be recognized throughout California, and it was also the only college or university in San Diego and Imperial counties to be honored. In addition to significantly increasing the number of Associate Degrees for Transfer awarded, institutions were also recognized for enrolling those students at a California State University with junior status and graduating Associate Degree for Transfer earners with a bachelor’s degree.

The other recognized institutions include: Moorpark College; Pasadena City College; Orange Coast College; College of the Canyons; Long Beach City College; East Los Angeles College; Berkeley City College; Glendale Community College; Clovis Community College; Citrus College; Golden West College; California State University, Dominguez Hills; California State University, Northridge; California State University, Los Angeles and California State University, Stanislaus.

The Associate Degree for Transfer was created via legislation in 2010. Sponsored by then-State Sen. Alex Padilla, the historic transfer reform legislation created a clear pathway for students to earn an associate’s degree and guarantees admission into the California State University system. To date, more than 100,000 students have earned an Associate Degree for Transfer, and of those that enrolled in the California State University, they earned a bachelor’s degree almost twice as fast as other transfer students, according to the Campaign for College Opportunity.

The Campaign for College Opportunity is a California nonprofit bipartisan policy and research organization focused on a single mission: to ensure all Californians have an equal opportunity to attend and succeed in college in order to build a vibrant workforce, economy and democracy. For more information, visit www.CollegeCampaign.org, Facebook.com/CollegeCampaign or follow @CollegeOpp.